Mike Goodson returns to Jets after four-game drug suspension

A Jets offense that was nothing but bad news on Sunday got a lift Monday as running back Mike Goodson returns from a league-mandated four-game suspension.

Mike Goodson is back with the team after being suspended for the first four games.Credit: Getty Images

A Jets offense that was nothing but bad news on Sunday got a lift on Monday as running back Mike Goodson returns from a league-mandated four-game suspension.

Goodson has been unable to play or practice for the first four weeks of the season following his arrest this past summer on drugs and weapons charges. Monday's walkthrough represented his first day back with the Jets and the team desperately needs him to be a difference maker.

The offense could be short its top two wide receivers for Monday night at the Falcons with Santonio Holmes (hamstring) and Stephen Hill (concussion) both possible scratches. The Jets will need to rely more heavily on the ground game and Goodson returns at the perfect time to help carry that load.

“Just a spark, hopefully a spark,” Goodson said. “Wherever they chose to place me, wherever they chose to put me in, just bring a spark.”

Unable to practice with the team, Goodson worked out at the team's facility during his suspension.

In mid-March, Goodson signed a three-year free agent contract with the Jets, bringing depth to the backfield as well as a player with speed who can help in the return game. He bolsters a backfield that had featured running back Chris Ivory go down last week against the Bills with a hamstring injury.

But Goodson has never been a featured back in what is now his fifth year in the NFL. But that may not be an issue with the emergence of Bilal Powell as a reliable playmaker out of the backfield..

Goodson had 35 carries for 221 yards last year with the Raiders. In addition, he hauled in 16 receptions for 195 yards and a touchdown.

The time away from the game allowed Goodson to watch his teammates in action and he came away with a review as mixed as the Jets' performances through their 2-2 start to the season.

“We played hard, we played hard. We're just through with the first quarter — 2-2. I think we're in a good spot, probably not where we want to be,” Goodson said. “We're in a good spot. Have to work real hard to get this second thing going.”